Letters to the Editor — Dec. 28, 2013

Monday

Dec 30, 2013 at 3:15 AM

To the editor: In response to this letter, I feel sorry that this person has only one channel to watch on her TV. I would imagine there are millions who watch this show (I’ve never watched it), but for someone to think it should be taken off the air because of ones opinion.

Please! From what I’ve read about Mr. Robertson, I agree with the stand he took. But, this is my opinion and I certainly respect yours, that’s what makes this such a great country.

Keith Tabor

Dover

To the editor: With the Oyster River School Board voting to enter into a ten year tuition agreement with Barrington, Newmarket taxpayers were sadly handed what I predict will end up being a $60-plus millions tax burden for new school construction.

Proponents for new school construction are undoubtedly celebrating Oyster River’s decision to choose enter into a tuition agreement with Barrington, thus effectively removing the possibility of a tuition agreement with Newmarket.

While these celebrations are going on, I urge all concerned to pause and think about what the future of the district could have been, versus what is now inevitably coming.

Barrington, with a high school student population almost double that of Newmarket’s offers their students and parents choice options regarding schools they attend. Newmarket could have provided their students and parents with a similar program.

Newmarket could have entered into similar tuition agreements with Portsmouth, Oyster River, Exeter, or perhaps even Epping allowing for choice for the students and parents while at the same time providing greater opportunities for them.

Had this opportunity been seized upon, the district could have built a new state-of-the art K-8 school on the already purchased Carpenter lot. Besides ensuring teachers were all gainfully employed, the new facility would have met the needs of the k-8 student population for many years to come.

Within ten years of the new Jr./Sr. High school being completed, I predict Newmarket taxpayers will be facing a similar onslaught by highly motivated administrators, teachers, and parents clamoring for a new elementary school. The price tag? Who Knows. Tragically, this could have been avoided.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Newmarket!

Jeffrey Clay

Alton

To the editor: As soon as my fingers thawed from the bitter cold I began writing this letter about global climate change. We can’t let a bout with frigid weather or heat wave detract from considering the general pattern of climate change.

If we continue burning fossil fuels at ever-faster rates scientists predict that we could create a world in this century not ever experienced by modern humans — — a world that includes higher temperatures, more storms, higher sea levels, and an ocean with higher acidity.

This is no time for gloom and doom. This the time to face the challenge with a cool plan for this hot topic — a plan to reduce the use of fossil fuels, improve our efficiency in using energy, expanding our use of green energy, and expanding research to discover other sources of energy.

An excellent starting point in a discussion of a cool plan could be based on the little book, “What We Know About Climate Change” by MIT atmospheric scientist Kerry Emanuel. In the new edition all of us can read with understanding Kerry “ … goes deeper into both the research and politics of the issue, trying to understand how many ‘reasonable layman’ came to question an entire scientific undertaking. Emanuel adds a new section on possible solutions including adaptation, mitigation, and geoengineering.”

I would add two biological solutions. Global forests store huge amounts of carbon, so good management of the forests can keep a lot of carbon out of the air and also enhance biological diversity. Farming practices that build up organic matter in the soil is another way to store huge amounts of carbon. These soils would better retain moisture and require less fertilizer.

Facing challenges is what we humans do. Let’s get on with it.

James Barrett

Durham

To the editor. Wishing every one a very, very happy and safe holiday and best wishes for the coming new year.

Muriel Lucas

Gainesville, Ga.

Formerly of Durham

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